Re: RC: Rattlesnakes = discouraged:((

[Maureen Mathisen <blueoak@snowcrest.net>]

Sylvia,

We were riding in the Whiskytown mountains(near Redding) on the trails
getting ready for a ride.  We were in a line, on a narrow trail close to
the banks and large rocks.  The horse in front of me didn't move a
muscle and I'm NOT sure he knew what happened as the rider didn't until
I told her,)BUT a large rattlesnake(who I guess was sunning himself on
the rock hanging over the trail), lost his balance, fell down, bounced
off the rump of the horse, scurried off the trail, and THEN rattled.  I
watched this but had NO time to even say anything until it was over! 
Then we all just shook awhile and went on.  Since then I TOO have
watched overhanging rocks!

Dbeverly4@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 4/18/99 9:36:04 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> guest@endurance.net writes:
> 
> <<  That's my story and I'm stickin to it!!
>  What I wanta know is, how does everybody else brave the wild?? >>
> 
> Hi Denise!  Don't feel too bad.  I've had the rattlesnake week from hell!
> They seem to be popping out all over the place (you midwesterners are
> probably glad you only have twisters).  I think that dang El Nino  is at the
> root of all our problems in California.  I have NEVER seen so many snakes.
> Today I was out marking trail for a CTR that our local club puts on and my
> horse stopped and stared at a rock with some brush sticking out of it.  I
> thought it was the usual "oh my God, it's a white rock" problem and urged him
> forward.  No way-- he arched his neck sideways at the rock and jumped to the
> right...good thing too because there was a rattlesnake in there, coiled up
> and everything.  I've always kind of scoffed at the idea that horses can
> sense a rattlesnake, after all we've trotted over one that was stretched out
> over the trail.  Maybe coiled up is one thing (even if they don't rattle).
> Guess I'm gonna trust Harca's instincts (white rock phobia aside) a little
> more for a while.  It does shake your confidence for a bit, but I'm not ready
> to retire from trail riding, so I guess I'll come to a truce with those
> rattlesnakes (and cougars).  I'm glad you weren't hurt.  By the way, I've
> been told that a rattlesnake bite on a horse's leg is serious, but not life
> threatening and you shouldn't cut it (or god forbid, suck the poison
> out-assuming your horse would LET you do that).  Just walk him in and get to
> a vet.  However, a bite to the nose is more serious (still no more cutting or
> poison sucking needed).  Anybody have some productive suggestions for a human
> snake-bite victim?
> 
> Sylvia
> 
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Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
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